Blog – Parenting Tips, Early Learning & Center News

.Supporting Families Beyond the Classroom

At Playtime University, we believe learning doesn’t stop when the day ends — and supporting families means more than just providing daycare. Our blog is designed to give parents expert insight, helpful tips, and updates on everything happening at our licensed childcare center in Coal Valley, IL.

Whether you’re a first-time parent looking for toddler tips or you want to better understand early childhood development, our blog is here to inform, inspire, and connect.

What You’ll Find on the Blog

Our blog covers a variety of topics written for busy parents, caregivers, and families navigating the early years. Topics include:

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Infant & Toddler Development

Understand milestones, sensory play, sleep routines, and behavior guidance.

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Early Childhood Education Tips

Get insights into how children learn, how to support school readiness, and how to make the most of early learning at home.

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 Parenting & Family Life

Real-life tips for balancing work and parenting, building routines, and handling transitions like potty training or separation anxiety.

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Health & Nutrition

Ideas for healthy snacks, allergy-safe lunches, hydration, and more.

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Center News & Events

Stay updated on holiday closures, upcoming events, reminders, and classroom highlights.

Supplies to Bring on First Day

Please bring the following clearly labeled items:

Parenting Tips

What to Pack for Daycare: The Ultimate Checklist for Parents

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Practical Guide

Early Learning

5 Ways to Support Early Literacy at Home

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Educational

Parenting Tips

How to Make Drop-Off Easier for You and Your Child

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Family Support

Parenting Tips

Understanding Your Toddler’s Big Emotions

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Practical Guide

Early Learning

Why Play-Based Learning Is So Important in Preschool

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Educational

Parenting Tips

How to Build a Healthy Sleep Routine for Infants & Toddlers

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Family Support

Parenting Tips

Tips for Choosing Age-Appropriate Toys for Learning at Home

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Practical Guide

Early Learning

A Parent’s Guide to the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

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Educational

Want us to cover a specific topic? Let us know! We love writing blog content that directly supports our Playtime University families.

Why Read Our Blog?

Parenting is rewarding — but it can also be overwhelming. Our blog offers guidance from early childhood professionals who understand what you’re going through. Whether it’s your child’s first bottle or first day of Pre-K, we’re here to share what we’ve learned (and what works).

Our Goals

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Educate

Provide parents with trusted advice grounded in child development

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Encourage

Reassure families that they’re not alone in the journey

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Engage

Celebrate classroom achievements, community events, and learning milestones

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Empower

Equip you with tools to help your child thrive at home and at school

Stay Connected

We update the blog regularly with new content that reflects seasonal activities, current events, and questions we hear from families every day. Bookmark this page or follow us on social media to stay in the loop.

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Have a Question You Want Answered?

We welcome blog topic suggestions from our parent community! If there’s something you’d love to learn more about — whether it’s naptime tips, preparing for kindergarten, or helping your child make friends — we’d love to write about it.

Email your Ideas

Thank You for Being Part of Our Community

Your involvement doesn’t end at pickup time. Through our blog, you’ll stay informed, empowered, and connected with the people who care for your child every day.

We look forward to growing with your family — in the classroom and beyond.